IMB Commissioning Service.

Wednesday night, we had the opportunity to attend a special ceremony.  The International Mission Board had their commissioning ceremony right here in Hattiesburg.  Some of our special friends were among those to be commissioned.  What an honor it was to attend this special service on their behalf.  

 We first met Willie during the summer of 2003, when we were all on staff at MFUGE in Nashville, TN.  He was our worship leader for the summer and boy can he sing!  All summer long we heard about and prayed for his love, Emily, who was serving as a journeyman in China.  She finished her term, and the two of them were married that winter. The following summer we had the blessing of working camp with both of them once again in Nashville, what a gift!  Since the summer of 2004, we have only seen then once or twice, and our families have grown lots!  Between us we have 7 children!

The quality of the pictures aren't great, but you can at least see them.  Willie and Emily are waiting to share their brief testimony on the stage.  

Here they are testifying about the Lord's calling on their lives.  Prior to meeting Willie, I had never met someone so passionate about missions and the Great Commission.  It's contagious!

On the big screen.  

To me, this was just a precious time in the service, where the families of the missionaries gathered around the altar and prayed over them.  My heart was moved thinking about my own children and wondering about the calling placed on their lives.  Dr. King, the President of William Carey University, prayed over them.  

Dr. Tom Elliff, President of the International Mission Board, was the speaker for the evening.  He preached from Romans about how we are all called and have a responsibility to share.  

A group shot of the missionaries being commissioned, all 77 of them.  

One last group shot.  It warmed my heart to see this precious couple and meet their sweet baby boy, their older two girls were at home with Willie's parents.  I have no doubt this couple will take the nations by a storm and be used in a mighty way for the Lord.  Will you join our family in praying for them?